A FOOTBALL-orientated Bradford charity is looking to boost funds and its profile to continue its work in the community.

Sports Campaign Against Racism (SCAR) is run by Shazad Parvez, well known locally as Shadow, and Delroy Dacres. The pair set up the organisation back in 1999 to help ethnic minorities from all backgrounds to get into sport or to progress in sport.

Parvez said: “We have done a lot since we got SCAR going and our latest project is to raise money to fund a minibus in partnership with Crimestoppers, but we need more contributions.

“There is so much money at the top end of the game and players’ wages are ridiculous – that’s not the fault of the players but it just highlights the divide. More of that money in the game should be re-invested in grass roots football.

“It will cost Crimestoppers – who are a charity themselves and not government funded or by the Police – £10,000 to put their logo on the bus. We want to share that cost with them and have our logo on it as well.

“It will help them to get their message out and it would help us by getting our name out there to the public. Crimestoppers is a great charity and they’re not joined at the hip with the police but getting their phone number seen will help to catch criminals.”

It is not just a lack of funds that is stopping SCAR from becoming an even bigger part of the community. They also lack manpower.

The charity is based at the Manningham Mills Sports and Community Association, and Parvez and Dacres want more volunteers and a figurehead.

Parvez said: “I have spoken to Wayne Jacobs a couple of times and he’s helped here and there and wants more information about our work. I’m compiling what I can and emailing him but we need dialogue and action.

“I’m due to speak to Wayne again soon and he’s an ex-Bradford City player, so he’s very high profile and he also has his own charities so he’s already been down this road – he knows how to get money in.

“Wayne is one of a number of people we are considering to offer the role of president of SCAR. We would also like to speak to David Ward, Chris Kamara and Gerry Sutcliffe.”

With the charity seeking the gravitas that former MPs and top level players can bring, they are also looking for young volunteers.

They require someone at their office to answer the phones and handle admin to improve and update their website and social media output.

Parvez added: “We’re going to contact the local universities and colleges and ask if there is anyone doing a sports journalism degree or marketing degree that could spend some time helping us out.

“I’m sure getting involved with us would also help them in their coursework and boost their CV when they’re in the job market.”

SCAR can be contacted on 01274 491 919 or via email at info@scarunites.org